Yair Netanyahu & His Non-Jewish Girlfriend

Why would anyone care if he’s dating a Gentile?

The Israeli media went into one of its periodic feeding frenzies this week over reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's oldest son Yair has a non-Jewish girlfriend. Gentile media around the world gleefully reported the faux hand-wringing in Israel.

In a world in which hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Jews are in some level of "romantic involvement," with non-Jews, Yair Netanyahu's love life is, by any rational standard, a non-story. In America today, more than four out of five marriages involving non-Orthodox Jews are intermarriages, according to a survey by Pew Research Center.

So why would anyone profess to be distressed by Yair Netanyahu's alleged romantic interests? (The PM's bureau, incidentally, issued a statement that Yair and the Norwegian woman identified as his girlfriend are nothing more than study partners at the Herziliya Interdisciplinary Center.)

The Jews are a small and ancient people. Their continued existence, despite the rise of those determined to destroy them in every generation, is history's most prolonged miracle. Even today, Israel is the only country in the developed world not on the path of demographic suicide, in which elderly retirees will nearly equal younger workers in the foreseeable future.

For believing Jews, Jewish survival reflects God's choice of the Jewish people to be the primary vehicle through which He reveals himself to the world. Jews have held fast to that relationship for more than three millennia. Across the globe and in every historical period, great scholars and simple peasants have willingly given their lives rather than give up their relationship with God.

When a Jewish male marries a non-Jew, that unbroken, millennial chain of ancestors is severed for good. His children are not considered Jewish in Jewish law. And if a Jewish woman marries a non-Jewish man, it is virtually guaranteed statistically that her offspring will cease to be Jewish within one or two generations. In America, three-quarters of children of intermarriage marry Gentiles. Only 14% of intermarried homes describe their religious orientation has primarily Jewish, according to the sociologist Bruce Phillips during the mid-1990s, and 60% of those have Christmas trees.

Bluntly, the non-Orthodox segments of the Jewish people outside of Israel will cease to exist in one or two generations through intermarriage. The end of so many family lines extending back to antiquity provokes sadness.

Yet intermarriage is the consequence rather than the cause of a more fundamental change. Most modern Jews have lost connection with the distinctive beliefs and practices that have always characterized the Jewish people, in particular the belief that the Jewish people were chosen for a unique historical mission.

Without the belief in a particular purpose for the Jewish people, it makes perfect sense to look for marriage partners from among those with shared political views or tastes in movies. The real tragedy is that "Jewish" constitutes such a small part of the self-identity of most Jews today.

The decision to marry only another Jew is one to make shared spiritual goals paramount in one's marriage.

What Orthodox Jews mourn when their assimilated brethren intermarry is the finality of a step that cuts off them and their offspring of from the possibility of rediscovering what it means to be a Jew.

Size is not a Jewish standard of measure. The Bible itself promises that we will be the smallest of the nations. But the loss of any Jew is nevertheless a tragedy. For at Sinai, the Jewish people were not only given a collective mission. Each soul that stood there or would descend from those who stood at Sinai was created with the potential to reveal, within the framework of the Torah's commandments, some aspect of God by virtue of his or her unique combination of talents and challenges to be overcome and particular familial and historical situation. The loss of that potential is a diminution of the entire Jewish people.

Many non-Jews, and increasingly many Jews as well, find Judaism's stress on endogamy to be racist. That's nonsense. Membership in the Jewish people is open to any human being who is willing to take on the same commitment as those who stood at Sinai. Judaism does not sanctify gene pools but rather commitment to a mission.

One need not be Jewish to serve God. Judaism is unique among major monotheistic religions in not viewing eternal reward as contingent on becoming Jewish. Yet Jews have always believed that they were chosen for a unique mission.

For those in whom that sense of historical mission still burns the case for endogamy is a matter not just of Jewish law but logic. A sense of mission – especially one that has always entailed a high price, along with its rewards – can only be transmitted consistently from generation to generation by two parents who share a common vision.

The decision to marry only another Jew is one to make shared spiritual goals paramount in one's marriage.

Don't all religions advocate the same, according to their specific beliefs?

Visitor Comments: 43

(27)
Binyamin,
February 16, 2014 3:06 PM

Shows Yeshiva Students Indeed major Defense of Israel

I recall the many strong proud declarations of Israeli politicians that the Jews are in their anscestral Heritage in Israel and will always defend themselves against all threats. The fierce debate about the IDF and drafting Yeshivas students now in Israel. Of course Israeli soldiers are HEROS and those that rally with Terrorists and those that advocate harming Jews SHOULD BE LOUDLY OPENLY CONDEMNED. At the same time - pf course the Torah of the Yeshivas protects Israel as it has stood up to repeated attacks by larger and more armed enemies decade after decade. It is NOT because "we are smarter" or "we are more sphisticated". Its because G-d helps us. More than bravada it is Torah and TOrah observers that ensure a JEWISH future. I experienced a work place where there are Jews married to nonJews who have non Jewish grand children , including people that were in the IDF. It is also understood college campus type of behavior may be more norm in non religous dorms, but can not be forced on religous people, at least not in a democracy and shuld not be in a Jewish state.

(26)
Norman Elliott,
February 9, 2014 4:33 PM

That this first ran on a Gentile forum, pegs it as Jewish hasbara

I am constantly impressed by the ability of Jewish genius to rise to the occasion and blunt damaging scandal. Judaism is not racism.

(25)
Rev.Borris Jovanovich,
February 8, 2014 11:58 PM

Yair Netanyahu & His Non-Jewish Girlfriend

I am partly Jewish on my mother side.Yet it does surprise me that many do forget placing our heritage in same bucket ,creates genetic failure in to offspring ,or people forgetting that ??G.D Almighty knows our tomorrow ,and not only today...

(24)
Robert,
February 8, 2014 6:44 PM

Not really

I am a Jew by choice, as a matter of conscience. My wife although initially raised as Christian, does not follow it. Our daughter sees herself as a Jew, even standing up to peer pressure, she is 12. Being a Jew comes from your heart and your belief in G*d.... As my friend's mother said (she was a holocaust survivor) I was Jewish enough for Hitler... the times was told she was not Jewish. Her husband was a Presbyterian Minister in his later life. Before that he was an officer under Patton and saved many Jews in Germany. It is for G*d to decide, I will defer to him as I do for everything

(23)
Houman,
February 7, 2014 7:07 PM

Human Rights

I got a shock when I read the Israeli media attacks to Yair's private life, basic rights and his love preference which was condemned by many other people as well. I was born and grew up in Iran and couldn't simply forget limits and obligations of that society, wrapped minds and a blind generation, which I can feel it happening again "as the history repeats itself" about Yair's case. No sooner people respect human rights and eachother's realm will the peace and joy come to the life.

(22)
Tuvia,
February 6, 2014 4:22 PM

single and Jewish!

I am a 54 year old, Jewish male, average looking, who wood love to marry a Jewish woman and start a family (yes at this late stage of my life)! I am religious, modern thinking and acting! Jewish women seem to pass me by! I feel I am nice, pleasant and conscientious, but it seems Jewish women are looking fot the "bad boy", which I am not! Online dating is becoming a waste of time and effort! Any sincere tips out there to belp me! And, I am a "brown Jew", or "black Jew", but I go by "brown Jew", for "black" is a color, not a person! I dislike America's racial nonsense!

dale,
February 8, 2014 4:29 PM

find help

You might want to seek professional help for any anger issues before entering into a relationship. Consult your Rabbi for referral suggestions. White, green, pink and yes, even brown are all colors.

(21)
Robert,
February 6, 2014 6:50 AM

conversion

There is always the option of conversion for the non- jew in the relationship.

Kenan Moss,
February 6, 2014 3:25 PM

Where do you live

Have you ever tried to help a person with the PROBLEM of conversion? I have a friend who has spent years trying to recover what he belives to be his identity. His surname, like so many in semi-literate countries was wrongly spelled by the authorities. Arzolay has no genealogical antecedant, but if we write AZOULAY or AZULAY or even AZOLAY we can trace the name back through Moorish Spain and possibly to Morocco. His family is in all probability Jewish. Yet despite his efforts and mine he is either rejected or ignored.

(20)
Marlene Langert,
February 5, 2014 9:58 PM

It'snone of our business

None of the comments so far have mentioned LOVE. Hello, isn't that what marriage is all about? It is no one else's business. Real, true love is so difficult to find, just be glad for someone who finds it. I am Jewish and was married to a Jewish man. We were very much in love and, although he died some years ago, I still love him very much. What is marriage without love?

Anonymous,
February 6, 2014 2:33 PM

love?

love or infatuation? http://www.aish.com/d/w/90070802.html

(19)
Anon,
February 5, 2014 6:09 AM

Jewish singles crisis

I am a Jewish woman in her early thirties who wants to marry a nice Jewish man.. the problem for the non-Orthodox Jewish singles out there is that the Jewish community doesn't seem to help us very much in helping us find a spouse. Online dating has become the norm.. but trying to find a Jewish spouse on Jdate is not as easy as one might think. I've been online dating for years, and have only had mainly frustration. It is very hard being single and trying to navigate in the world feeling alone without the sense of a community who cares about setting you up to meet a partner. I wish I were living in an Orthodox community which had a matchmaking system and a community which focused on helping singles, but such does not exist for many who are Jewish but happen to be not raised Orthodox.. the Jewish community should be doing more and making this a high priority

Leah,
February 6, 2014 3:28 AM

Jewish singles crisis

Please keep trying to find find yourself a Jewish mate. Keep your Tribe intact for the sake of humanity. I am a Gentile and I find it lovable and admiring to the Eternal nation to be intact for more generations to come and all female Jewish women are the only hope for the Tribe to survive. Intermarriage should be out of the question.

Ted,
February 6, 2014 4:17 PM

Jewish singles crisis

I will say a prayer for you. Maybe you should try to contact an orthodox community, possibly move etc. since you recognize the problem? Understanding the problem can lead to a solution. Maybe you can initiate a social event for people like yourself whether you host or go through your temple which will help many others? It can start with you, but I think you woiuld be surprised at the results. G-d will provide. You can go to :http://www.uscj.org/kehilla.aspx to use as a resource.

(18)
Anonymous,
February 5, 2014 5:50 AM

Intermarriage

intermarriage is a sad solution to a lack of interest in Jewish identity. as a Jewish single it s also sad that synagogues and Jewish institutions give top priority to families and not singles. singles in many instances are left out so they look elsewhere.

(17)
Anonymous,
February 4, 2014 11:45 PM

Am Yisrael Chai, for this all Jews are needed

As a convert who married a non observant Jew, I am the one for whom it was important that my daughter be raise to love Judaism and Israel. As I am first and foremost a Zionist. I would like to point out that It takes Orthodox to perpetuate and watch over the rituals of religion, but it takes secular and non observant people to take care of the safety of our new nation. We need each other.

(16)
Andrés Rosendo,
February 4, 2014 11:19 PM

So? We have a Jewish state

There is no future for Judaism outside Israel

(15)
Anonymous,
February 4, 2014 9:59 PM

lesson learned from Dad?

Benjamin Netanyahu has been married 3 times.Wife #2 was not Jewish, his dad certainly can't complain.

(14)
Shoshana,
February 4, 2014 9:35 PM

So much nefesh!

Where is the neshama in this? We agreed to Torah at Har Sinai - no one said it would be easy! Why so many excuses? Why be embarrassed? Is a doctor or farmer embarrassed to keep the oath of saving lives? Put this in its correct light please. We must change, not G-d. G-d was not created in our image.

(13)
Julia Shalom,
February 4, 2014 7:55 PM

G-D is the one who will keep the Jewish nation in tact.

The Almighty is the reason the Jewish heritage is still in existence. He alone will be the one to keep His people. The pressure to find G-D's path in our lives, plus the pressure to make parents happy (to make enough income, to marry the right person, to observe every holiday that our family wishes...) We must remember to keep G-D first and forget that family members are only human, too. They are flawed by their own convictions, pressures and personal issues. G-D gave Abraham his lineage as a REWARD for his faith BEFORE seeing a manifestation of it in the natural. As G-D's people, we are to walk by the same faith as Abraham. What is G-D speaking to YOUR heart? Listen. He talks to His people everyday. Take the time to search for His answers with all your heart, mind and soul. Then, you will have the confidence to go forward in pleasing G-D, not submit to the pressures of pleasing MOM. Sorry mom...:)

(12)
bea Green,
February 4, 2014 7:27 PM

it also works the other way round!

One of my sons married a non-Jewish girl. They adopted two non-Jewish babies who went to the Jewish School and bothhad their bar and bat mitzvahs. Great Jewish kids they are.2 MORE Jews!

Anonymous,
February 5, 2014 2:03 PM

Sorry to break this to you - but as much as you wish them to be jews they are NOT Jewish. As harsh as this may sound its just the way it is.

Joseph Apicella,
February 8, 2014 12:37 AM

Your assuming she did not convert

The children are Jewish if the mother converted.

(11)
Sherry Tow,
February 4, 2014 6:26 PM

Inter-marriage

The commitment for preserving Judaism and the Jewish people by rejecting inter-marriage isn't necessarily the answer. I am married to a man who was born and raised Jewish, but he is an atheist. When it comes to religion, he firmly believes that faith is the creation of man and has been responsible for a great deal of tragedy in the world. I was also raised Jewish and the second female to experience a Bat Mitzvah in the synagogue we attended. While trying to provide a Jewish home life for our daughter, my husband frequently gave opposing views. Our daughter commented more than once, as wonderful and ethical as the Jewish faith is, ask the majority of practicing Jews (who are not Orthodox) and they will readily admit knowing little about their religion. The focus on customs and ceremonies does not feed the spiritual soul and provide fulfillment for those who seek to understand beyond the practice of tradition. While it is understandable to want to preserve the Jewish Heritage, this sensitive subject does not have an easy solution. In ancient times, mankind was determined to explain its existence and purpose on earth. Judaism brought answers, law and compassion when paganism was rampant. Sacrificing human life to multiple Gods was considered normal. Sadly, mankind still has not learned to appreciate the value of life. More wars are being fought in the name of religion and the cycle of hatred continues. Life is and will continue to be a vast mystery. Tragically, our people have faced thousands of years of anti-Semitism (especially the Holocaust). Yet, I firmly believe there will always be a Jewish people, inter-marriage or not!.

(10)
Elsabé,
February 4, 2014 5:52 PM

YAIR NETANYAHU

Ag come on people, why can't you leave these two nice kids alone in their love for each other? Let them get to know one another without putting pressure on them. These kind of things have a way to turn out the right way

Kalypso,
February 4, 2014 8:55 PM

No, they don't.

Your comment is either naive or deliberately provocative.

As the son of the man ruling the Jewish State who is ostensibly fighting for our recognition by an increasingly antagonistic world, Yair may think, in a rebellious adolescent way, that he is merely thumbing his nose at his parents -- but his actions, and his parents' acceptance of them, point out the delusional hypocrisy of having the Jewish Land advocated for by a man whose own connection to his inviolable heritage is tenuous.

With such an influence, not only is it likely that the Netanyahu grandchildren will not be Jewish -- but given that Yair's girlfriend comes from an Evangelical Christian family (even though her sister converted (Orthodox?)), he's viewed by them as a delicious challenge, and will probably end up as some sort of Messianic Jew, G-d forbid.

That's the more likely scenario, Elsabé, because that's what usually happens in cases like this. Is that what you consider "turning out the right way"?

(9)
Monica Pollans,
February 4, 2014 5:02 PM

Plenty of Jewish girls

There are plenty of beautiful and accomplished Jewish girls in this world - Why go out for hamburger when you have steak at home?

Anonymous,
February 4, 2014 7:05 PM

On behalf of all of the "hamburger" out there that may someday wish to convert, I apologize for this thoughtless comment. Were you "chosen" to speak such horrid thoughts?

Anonymous,
February 5, 2014 1:24 AM

The comparison of women to meat is offensive - women are neither hamburger nor steak, we are all human beings. Fortunately yes, there are many Jewish women of distinction who are sensitive to the holy spark that exists within each and every person.

Anonymous,
February 5, 2014 8:02 PM

re: There are plenty of beautiful and accomplished Jewish girls in this world -

Yes, there are, but in the US, 85% of them date/marry gentiles exclusively because Hollywood tells them Jewish men are not "cool". Those veterans of the promiscuous party lifestyle who are still single when they're too old to attract the glamorous men they've chased during the first half of their adulthood, may grudgingly agree to "settle" for a Jew, if he's wealthy enough to compensate for his supposed inferiority. Upon finding that men of any ethnicity (even Jewish) find little point in marrying a woman too old to have children, they turn around and declare a crisis, blaming everyone and everything in sight, except for their own misguided behavior. The only solution is to teach proper behavior from the beginning. We cannot afford to outsource the raising of our children, not to hired foreigners and certainly not to the television/internet, if we desire to avoid extinction. Where Torah, Mitzvos and marriage are taught and practiced as worthy, holy ideals, there is no crisis.

(8)
Netanya,
February 4, 2014 4:43 PM

Please don't ?

As the great granddaughter of a Levi who married out, I inherited what my Aunt calls the "Jewish Gene" having felt lost , disconnected and without an identity ... It took me years to reconnect and convert orthodox, while in my case Judaism never ceased it merely interrupted for two generations, it is really tragic when we lose "our people", I hv come home and finally I am complete and I hv Shalom.

Shoshana,
February 4, 2014 10:35 PM

a light in the darkness

Welcome home. May others in your situation rejoin us.

Anonymous,
February 5, 2014 1:49 AM

welcome home

G-d bless israel. i am so happy to read what you have wrote nd so happy you have come home. no one else must make that mistake because not everyone would be fortunate to return in the same birth. is it worth such a risk?

(7)
dbdent,
February 4, 2014 4:28 PM

patience

It is interesting that our Messianic line began with a Jew marrying a non Jew [? convert] and as such it is more than likely that the Mashiach will come from a 'mixed' lineage. True, education is the key but not that of the extreme sects within Judaism. Many a fine Jew was once a non Jew. In the meantime let Yair alone - I am sure he knows the level of responsibility of which he is expected. Of interest is that the girls sister has already converted so! there is a spark within that family

Anonymous,
February 5, 2014 1:47 AM

yair and his girl friend

sorry. i dont agree with you. if you know your child is going to place his hand into the fire, will you stand aside and see what happens. never test Hashem. as we dont know where our mitzvas stand.. if the girl's sister has converted, does this mean the whole family will convert or whether the sister will convert? if yair knew his level of responsibility he would nto have gone this far? today, with the internet, with syngs eveyrwhere, yeshivas everywhere, at his beck and call, such a thing should never have happened. this is not extemism. this is judaism. are you happy with the world conditions today? your fathers in russia and other countries, used to go to the underground and use match sticks instead of chanukka candles. and today see what their descendants are doing, shaming their sacrifices. it is true there are many non jews who converted and became great like r akiva and one of the prophets from esau's lineage.is that the situation here? and chazal say that when a non jew converts its because he or she has a jewish soul. do you think conversion in judaism is like the faiths of the nations and like xtianity, of which i was, once. and now a noahide?yair should not be left alone. his mother should influence him. the public should leave him alone. but the family should not. he is not a preschool kid. he knows the responsibilities that come from his father's position and what it stands for. one does not stand by and watch his child slipping into abyss.

(6)
jgarbuz,
February 4, 2014 4:14 PM

Jews must marry only other Jews according to Jewish Law

And no one is allowed to convert to please a Jewish husband or for any other reason except that they are prepared to live a 100% Jewish life in accordance to Mosaic Law, and are totally committed to cutting off their roots and be grafted into the Jewish nation, for better or for worse. And it often gets worse.

Liat,
February 5, 2014 6:02 AM

The Silent Holocaust

As a proud Orthodox convert myself, I must agree with jgarbuz. I converted not for a Jewish husband-to-be nor to please the potential Jewish in-laws. Conversion for marriage should never be the only reason for conversion. Sadly, the facts speak for themselves. How many of these converts actually stay Jewish after they get divorced from the Jewish spouse? Many go back to being what they were before, often schlepping the poor confused child along.

By leaving things and hoping that "things will work out for the best" is the same as those who hoped that the Holocaust was a "passing phase".. The threat of intermarriage is not going to disappear just because some of us choose to stick our heads in the sand and wait it out.

(5)
Yaffa,
February 4, 2014 4:12 PM

Superb article, beautifully written..

Superb article, beautifully written..

(4)
Anonymous,
February 4, 2014 3:25 PM

Restricting whom we might love/marry?

It is a difficult thing to be a parent. That's the basic line. Then we have children, and suddenly we are faced with a za-zillion decisions. Schooling, decision-making, discipline, traditions, and then we discover we have NO control..only some guidance to help our children carry on traditions, rules, laws, beliefs. We do all we can, and discover once again WE HAVE NO control over the child's ability to make decisions, whom they will love, perhaps marry, divorce, to have or not have children, and more. We, as parents, raised children to respect self and others, to respect love, and to think, carefully and fully about choices. We did what we can do and then what happens? Our children fall in love with a person who may be the epitome of all things we appreciate and respect, but is diferent in big and little ways different. We wonder where we went wrong. We worry about grandchildren..will they continue the traditions honor all that we have been destined to do.? And we as parents realize that we are indeed have no power over whom our children will love, dislike, vote for, marry, have children with or not, remain married or divorce. It is all pretty scary. As parents we think we know what is better, but maybe not. I don't really know. I can only pray for happiness, peace, and love of all that has made us who we are and can become. I pray a lot, and try to just listen. It is not easy.

(3)
Rachel Kapen,
February 4, 2014 3:03 PM

Sons married converts

Our two older sons married converts to Judaism and both are dedicated Jews and a great addition to our people.

(2)
Anonymous,
February 4, 2014 3:01 PM

why we should care

not criticize but talk to ur children and keep talking the father who shouts at the kids because they dont know the letters on the dreidel is looking for problems u have to explain and not shout and make yiddishkeit enjoyable not a threat every Shabbat and every chag should b filled w/simcha not qvetching how hard it is to cook every wk or to get up early for shacharit your children model your behaviorre bibi's son we hope he will see the light or that if this is serious, she will have a proper conversion amen v'amen

(1)
שמואל יונתן וובר,
February 3, 2014 4:18 PM

The importance of a Jewish Education in school and the home

I was taking a tour of the Jewish Quarter during Hanukkah with a group of Israelis. (The tour was in Hebrew and concluded with a really nice Hanukkah Party at Aish overlooking Har HaBayit in Jerusalem). There was an 7 or 8 year old young fellow who was asked by the Guide and couldn't answer what the letters on a dreidel stood for. The father berated the boy in front of everyone, calling him stupid and asking him "What do they teach you in school!" Back when the Labor Party was in power in Israel, they stripped Jewish Studies out of the Public School Curriculum. I heard one of the top educators in the Greater Jerusalem School District recently lament over that decision, "A whole generation has lost their Judaism." The current Minister of Education, Shai Peron, has been reimplementing a Jewish Studies program in the public schools. It is important that Jews learn about their heritage, not only in School, but more importantly, also at home. We can never again let non-religious politicians rob of us of our heritage. If they do, eventually they will rob us of our state.

Danny,
February 4, 2014 4:42 PM

Shai Piron

Shai Piron might be introducing Jewish studies in schools, but at the same time he and his party are destroying true Jewish education in the Charedi sector

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

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